Gas or labour contractions? 7 signs that can help you tell the difference

Towards the end of pregnancy, even a bout of stomach pain can leave you wondering if labour is starting. Gas, bloating and contractions can cause similar discomfort, making it difficult to tell them apart at first. However, the way the pain feels, how often it occurs and whether it follows a pattern can offer useful clues.

Why the confusion happens

Pregnancy hormones slow down your digestion, and your growing baby takes up space that your bowels used to have to themselves. The result is plenty of trapped wind, bloating and cramping. Early labour, meanwhile, often begins as a dull, crampy ache low down in the tummy. Put the two together and it is easy to see why they get mixed up.

Clues that point to contractions

The pain follows a pattern

Contractions build up slowly, reach a peak, then fade away, leaving you with a short rest before the next one begins. Over time, they tend to become more regular and stronger.

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Grab a watch or a timer app and note when each one starts. If the pains arrive at steady intervals, and the gap between them keeps getting shorter, labour is a real possibility. Pain that stays constant or comes at random is far more likely to be gas.

Your bump goes hard

During a contraction, the womb muscle tightens, and you can feel this by placing a hand on your tummy. The whole bump becomes firm, almost like a ball, then softens again when the pain passes. Gas can make you feel stuffed and swollen, but it does not cause your belly to harden and relax in a rhythm.

Other signs show up too

Real labour rarely comes alone. You might notice a change in your vaginal discharge, or a little blood-tinged mucus. If your only symptom is tummy pain, with nothing else going on, digestion is the more likely cause.

Nothing you do makes it stop

Walking about, changing position or having a warm bath may take the edge off wind, but true contractions carry on regardless. In many cases, they actually get stronger when you move.

Clues that point to gas

The pain is sharp and unpredictable

Gas pain tends to stab or twinge in one spot, then move around or disappear. It does not follow a timetable. Contractions, by contrast, usually feel like a wider, deeper ache across the whole tummy, rather like period pain. Gas also tends to bring bloating with it.

You have eaten something gassy

Late in pregnancy, almost any food can cause trouble, because your digestive system is being squashed. Some foods are bigger offenders than others, though.

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Fried, greasy and spicy meals often cause problems. So do broccoli, cauliflower, beans, onions, garlic and fizzy drinks. These are all healthy or tasty choices, but if wind keeps bothering you, it may help to cut back until the baby arrives.

A trip to the loo helps

If you feel better after passing wind or opening your bowels, gas was probably the culprit, and your baby is likely to stay put a little longer. Gentle stretches or a short walk may also bring relief, which is another sign you are not in labour.

A quick comparison

When to call your midwife or doctor

If you are still not sure, there is no harm in getting advice. Ring your midwife, maternity unit or doctor if your pains are becoming regular and stronger, if you notice bleeding or fluid leaking, or if your baby seems to be moving less than usual.

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Seek advice if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you may be in labour, as early labour needs prompt attention. Healthcare teams are used to these calls and would always rather hear from you than have you worry at home.

(Disclaimer: This article is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition)